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HARVARD UNIVERSITY.

OF THE

MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY.

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Cuba Trogou-

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T^Uihii Ixf c ^ M^U^ncm/sUl'^

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TROGON TEMNURUS, Temm.

Cuba Trog’on.

Specific Character.

Trog. capite saturate chalybeo-cceruleo ; dorso alisque viridibus, harum secundariis ad apicem a,

late unif asciat is , remigibus nigris albo fasciatis ; gutture pectoreque cinereis ; ventre coccint
rectricibus intermediis sex viridibus, ad apicem (^pogoniis expansis) late emarginatis, reliq
ad basin viridibus, in medio fascia alba alteraque viridi notatis, ad apicem late albis.

Rostrum sanguineum ad culmen nigro notatum ; pedes brunnei.

Bill blood red with a broad culminal mark of black ; whole of the head and ear-coverts deep

glossy steel-blue ; back and upper tail-coverts green ; throat and breast light grey ; lower
part of the abdomen and under tail-coverts scarlet ; upper part of the wings green, the
secondaries being crossed near their tip with a broad bar of white ; primaries black
strongly barred with white ; six middle tail-feathers green, each having the web at the tip
elongated from the stem on each side, forming the end of the feather into a deep scollop ;
the three outer feathers on each side green at the base, succeeded by an alternate bar of
white and green, and deeply tipped with white ; feet brown.

Total length, lOi inches ; bill, 1 ; wing, 6 ; tail, 6f ; tarsi, i.

Trogon temnurus. Temm. PI. Col. 326.

So extremely scarce is this singular species in the collections of Europe, and so little information has been
obtained relative to its history, that its habits and manners are totally unknown. The female, as far as I am
aware, has never yet been described or even seen by any ornithologist. Its native habitat, Cuba, is I believe
the most northern locality from which any of its race has been received, and it is to be hoped that ere long
some enterprising naturalist will direct his attention to the country of which this bird is a native, and afford
us some information respecting its economy. It was first figured in the Planches Coloriees of M. Temminck,
who states that specimens form part of the collections of Leyden, Brussels, and Paris : these, with an imper-
fect skin in the possession of the Zoological Society, are, I believe, all the examples of this bird in Europe.

Upon looking at the markings of the wing, we cannot fail to be struck with their resemblance to those on

the same part of several of the Woodpeckers ; the peculiar termination of the tail also, together with its more

attenuated bill, are features equally conspicuous, yet these must be considered as relations of analogy and not
of affinity.

T.FiOdXW (SW»

Nariua Trogon .

’'nr.i.Ti .’^txJiirt d' O7t.t')iov.c'b^ Ji^M/.GvvZcL.

•

TROGON NARINA, Levaill.

Narina Trog’on.

•t

Specific Character.

Mas

Trog. splendent i-viridis, ventre sanguineo

alls hrunneis, secundariis tegminibusq

albido pulverulentis, harumpogoniis externis metallice viridi

rectricibus duabus

saturate viridibus ad apices late albis.

duabus proximis utrinque olivaceo-viridibus

Rostrum flavum coeruleo tinctum ; pedes pallide brunnescenti-flavi.

Foem. mari simillima, differt orbitis gutture, pectoreque rufo-brunneis, hdc pallidiore

parum tinctd, ventre tectricibusque caudce inferioribus saturate roseis.

Male. Bill yellow with a tinge of blue ; whole of the head, throat, chest, shoulders, back, and

upper tail-coverts resplendent green ; breast and under surface bright blood red ; the
wings brown, the greater coverts and secondaries powdered with greyish white, the outer
edge of each feather having a tinge of metallic green ; two centre feathers of the tail dark
purplish green, two next on each side olive green, the three outer on each side dark green
at their base, 'largely tipped with white ; feet light brownish yellow.

Female. The upper surface and tail closely resemble those of the male ; round the eye and

throat rufous brown, becoming paler on the chest, which is slightly tinted with rosy pink ;
lower part of the abdomen and under tail-coverts deep rose red.

Total length, lli inches ; bill, li ; wing, 5i ; tail, 6i ; tarsi, f.

Trogon Narina. Le Vaill., Hist. Nat. des Ois. d’Afrique, pL 228 et 229.
Vieill., 2nd Edit. Nouv. Diet. d’Hist. Nat., tom. 8. p. 318.

While the tropical regions of Asia and America are inhabited by numerous species of this group, the whole
continent of Africa has not, up to the jiresent time, presented us with more than a single one, the Trogon
Narina, which, we believe, was first discovered by Le Vaillant, whose description in his elaborate work on
the birds of Africa affords us much Information respecting its habits and economy.

M. Le Vaillant states that the favourite haunts of the Trogon Narina are the densest parts of the forest,
where it sits on a low dead branch nearly motionless during the middle part of the day, it being only in the
morning and evening that it displays its activity in the capture of its food, which consists chiefly of locusts,
beetles, and other winged insects, to which are added the larger kinds of caterpillars. Its flight is said to be
short and rapid ; darting from its favourite perch with unerring aim at each passing insect, and either re-
turning to its former station or perching near the spot. This mode of life has procured for the Trogon
Narina the character of a sad, melancholy and stupid bird.

It frequents the large woods called Autemiquoi, and those on the banks of the river Gamtoos in the Caffre
country. The nest is placed in the holes of trees ; the eggs are four in number, almost round, and of a rosy
white ; the female sits for twenty days ; and the moment the young are excluded they take flight and follow
their parents for a considerable period. During the pairing-season the male frequently utters a melancholy-
sounding cry, but at other times he is silent.

o( Temni;)

Duvaucel's Trogon

pfvm' ofv J'A^. GtmZd/.

C. 3iili7na9uZ«Z:

TROGON DUVAUCELII, Temm.

Duvaucel’s Trofi^on.

Specific Character.

Mas. Trog. dorso castaneo ; corpore subtus, uropygio, caudceque tectricibus superioribus coccineis ;

capite, gutture, alisque nigris, his (yproeter remigibus^ albo transversim strigatis ; rectricibus
duabus intermediis castaneis nigro apiculatis, duabiis proximis utrinque nigris, reliquis ad
basin nigris ad apicem albis.

Rostrum orbitaapie nuda coeruleae.

Foem. Capite, pectore, dorsoque brunneis ; uropygio riifescenti-brunneo ; ventre pallide rubro ;

alis nigris brunneo fasciatis.

Male. The whole of the head and throat black ; breast, under surface, rump, and upper tail-

coverts rich scarlet ; back chestnut brown ; wings black, and, with the exception of the
primaries, marked transversely with fine lines of white ; the three outer tail-feathers
black at the base and white at the tip, the two next on each side wholly black, and the
two middle ones chestnut brown, tipped with black ; bill and space round the eye blue.

Female. Head, chest, and back brown; rump reddish brown; undersurface light red; wings

black rayed transversely with broad lines of brown ; tail as in the male.

Total length, 9 inches ; bill, 1 ; wing, 4 ; tail, 6 ; tarsi, i.

Trogon Duvaucelii. Temm. PI. Col. 291.

For brilliancy of colouring nothing can surpass the tints that adorn the plumage of this little Trogon, which,
unlike every other species of the family that has come under my notice, has the rump and lower portion of
the back of a scarlet eolour, vying in every respect with the rich and fiery hue of the breast. The admiration
with which these birds must be viewed even when seen in preserved collections will enable us to form some
idea of their still greater beauty in a state of nature, when darting meteor-like through the dark recesses of
the dense and gloomy parts of the forests ; and when so seen they cannot fail to call forth the admiration and
inflame the enthusiasm of the naturalist, who has ventured to seek their haunts in those primitive districts.

The sexes offer the usual differences in the colouring of the plumage whieh characterize several other
species, the female being less gaily attired, having the head brown instead of black, and the wings transversely
rayed with hroad lines of brown instead of fine lineations of white as in the male.

Habitat Sumatra.

s ( Spix:) .

Purple treas ted Tro^on.

Xh^cwmjjTmrL TTt/Uva't^A' <m/-^lcnit/1^ J" Cffold^

JhfiUd^ hy C ffa/liancaid<^ .

TROGON VARIEGATUS, Spix.

Purple-breasted Trog*on.

Specific Character.

Mas. Trog. viridis ; capite supra pectoreque purpureis, illofrontem versus tiigrescens ; alis in

medio minute lineolis jiexuosis nigris albisque nofatis, remigibus saturate brunneis pogoniis
externis albis ; rectricibus duabus intermediis chalybeo-viridibus nigro apiculatis, proxmis
utrinque duabus nigris ad marginem exteriorem viridibus, reliquis ad basin nigris apicem
versus nigro alboque faseiatis apicis macula quadratd alba ; corpore siibtus, prater pectus,
saturate coccineo ; femoribus nigris.

Irides satarate brunneae ; rostrum flavescenti-albidum ; pedes coerulescenti-cinerei.

Foem. Fuliginoso-cinereus , caudd brunneo tinctd ; alis in medio albo faseiatis ; pectore albo ;

rectricibus extimis utrinque tribus pogoniis externis nigro faseiatis.

Male. Bill yellowish white; head and chest metallic purple merging into black on the forehead;

ears, throat, back, and upper tail-coverts green ; centre of the wings covered with very
minute zigzag markings of black and white ; primaries dark brown with their outer edges
white ; two middle tail-feathers steel green tipped with black, two next on each side black
with their outer edges greeh ; the three outer feathers on each side black at the base, and
barred with white and black, ending in a square mark of white ; whole of the under sur-
face deep scarlet ; thighs black ; tarsi bluish grey ; irides very dark brown.

Female. Head, chest, and upper surface dark sooty grey ; centre of the wing distinctly barred

with white ; upper part of the abdomen white, merging into scarlet on the belly and
under tail-coverts ; tail deep sooty grey with a tinge of brown, the three outer feathers
barred with black on their outer edges.

Total length, 9 inches ; bill, 1 ; wing, 4 ; tail, 5; tarsi, i.

Trogon variegatus. Spix, Av. Sp. Nov. tom. 1. pi. xxxviii®. p. 49.

I AM indebted to Mr. Swainson for the loan of three highly interesting examples of this species, from which
specimens the figures on the accompanying Plate were drawn. I perfectly agree with this gentleman in con-
sidering the lower one to be a very old male ; but with regard to the centre one I am rather uncertain, some
appearances inducing me to believe it to be a young male in the state intermediate between youth and matu-
rity, when it has acquired the perfect wings and tail but wants the brilliancy of the upper surface. I would
here suggest that probably these birds may at some seasons, through the action of light and heat, lose the
metallic lustre of their plumage, and consequently bear the sombre appearance of the centre bird in our Plate.
Although not fully prepared to assert that this is the case, I am borne out in my opinion by discovering, on
minutely examining the bird, that the wing-feathers are old, worn, and partly decomposed. The upper figure
is without doubt that of an adult female.

On examining other specimens of this bird in the collection of M. Natterer, I find that it is subject to a
very unusual and considerable variation of its markings ; for although they all bear the general character-
istics of the species, still scarcely two examples are to he found possessing strictly similar markings of the
three lateral tail-feathers : in some specimens the black bars predominate, and in others the white ; I have
reason to believe, however, that in very old males the black bars become partially obliterated, as exhibited in
the lower figure of the accompanying Plate.

The Trogon variegatus is a native of Brazil, where, M. Natterer informs me, it inhabits the woods bor-
dering the rivers Negro and Paraguay. It was first discovered by Dr. Spix, in whose work is a good repre-
sentation of the male : it will also form a conspicuous plate in Mr. Swainson’s exquisite work on the birds of
Brazil.

♦

J}7'<xvfn/jY<rtrv Jfxii^re- A <n^ iffau^ 2^ J GctiZoi.

S urucua Trogon

TROGON SURUCURA, Vieill.

Surucua Tro£*on.

Specific Character.

Mas

Trog. vertice, cervice, pectoreque

viridihus ; facie guttureque nigt

dorso

viridi in cosrideum ad uropygium vergente

duabus coerulescenti-viridibus, duabus

dibus

mgr IS

dimidio basali nigro

remigibus nigrescenti-brunneis, albo ad pogonia externa fmbriatis ; secundariis aldque
nigro alboque lineolatim punctatimque variis ; abdominis medio tectricibusque caudce

ferioribus

rufescenti-brunneae

Foem

Fidig

albidum ; pedes saturate bru

ferioribus

alis brunnes-

fimbriatis, secundariis plumisque cceteris cinereo-albido ft

rectricibus nigrescenti-brunneis ; intt
basin versus pogoniorum internorum.
Rostrum cinereo-albidum.

nigro apiculatis, reliquis albo fimbr

on the rump ; the two middle tail-feathers bluish green, the two next on each side with
their outer webs only bluish green, the inner black, the whole six tipped with black ; the
three outer feathers on each side have their basal half black, the remainder white; prima-

ries blackish brown bordered with white on their exterior edges ; secondaries and upper

part of the wing freckled with markings of black and white ; centre of the abdomen and
under tail-coverts crimson scarlet ; bill yellowish white ; irides deep reddish brown ; feet
dark brown.

Female. Whole of the head, neck, chest, back and rump sooty grey ; lower part of the belly

and under tail-coverts scarlet ; wings brownish black, primaries edged with white ; the
secondaries and upper part of the wings transversely rayed with greyish white ; six centre
tail-feathers blackish brown tipped with black, three outer feathers on each side blackish

brown margined on their exterior edges and partly so on their inner ones with white; bill
greyish white.

Total length, lOf inches ; bill, 1 ; wing, 5 ; tail, 5i ; tarsi, i.

Le Surucua. Azara, Voy. dans I’Amerique Meridionale, tom. iv. No. cclxx.

Ibid., Sonnini’s Translation, tom. iv. p. 41 .

Trogon Surucura. Vieill., L’Encyclopedie Methodique, tom. 3. p. 1362.

I HAVE not the slightest hesitation in asserting this species of Trogon to be the Surucua of Azara, from whose
elaborate work I am consequently induced to insert the following nearly literal translation.

After informing us that Surucua is the native name of this bird in Paraguay, he proceeds to state that “ it
is not common, and it does not quit the largest woods. It generally remains on the upper portions of the
trees without descending to the lower branches or to the earth : it sits a long time motionless, watching for
insects which may pass within its reach, and which it seizes with adroitness ; it is not gregarious, but dwells
either in solitude or in pairs ; its flight, which is rapid and performed in vertical undulations, is not prolonged.
These birds are so tame as to admit of a near approach ; I have seen them killed with a stick They do not
migrate, and they are never heard except in the love season ; their note then consists but of the frequent repe-
tition of the syllables pio in a strong, sonorous and melancholy voice : the male and female answer each other.
They form their nest on the trees by digging into the lower part of the nest of a species of ant known by the
name of cupiy, until they have made a cavity sufficiently large, in which the female deposits in the month of
September two white eggs according to some, and four according to others. I have seen the male clinging
to a tree, after the manner of the Woodpeckers, occupied in digging a nest with his beak, while the female
remained tranquil on a neighbouring tree.”

Azara states that he has only seen this bird from Paraguay ; I have, however, received it from the southern
parts of the Brazils, and a single specimen formed part of the fine collection made by Capt. P. P. King during
his survey of the Straits of Magellan. Although I have not been able to ascertain from what precise locality
Capt. King’s specimen was procured, I am inclined to believe that it has a more extensive range than is gene-
rally suspected.

J?romn/ ~^(mv A aiv S^eivc ^<T^£.

TKOGO^^" MEILA^^O

Black-lLeaded Tro^on.

JUtiU^ ^ CSi^IlifUKndu>

TROGON MELANOCEPHALA

Black-headed Trog*on.

Specific Character.

Trog. capite, gutture, pecioreque nigris ; dorso caudceque tectricibus superioribus saturate viri~

dibus purpureo parum tinctis ; alls cauddque nigris, rectricibus intermediis duabus viridi
tinctis, extimis utrinque tribus macula quadrata alba apicali notatis', ventre tectricibusque

caudcB ir^erioribus aurantiacis.

Rostrum coerulescenti-cinereum.

Bill bluish grey ; whole of the head, occiput, throat, and chest black ; back and upper tail-

coverts deep green with a tinge of purple ; wings black ; breast and under tail-coverts
orange ; tail black, the two middle feathers tinged with green, and the three outer ones on
each side black, tipped with a square spot of white.

Total length. Hi inches ; bill, 1 ; wing, 5i ; tail, 6; tarsi, 1.

Trogon melanocephala. Gould, Proceedings of Zool. Soc., Part III.

A SINGLE specimen of this new Trogon formed part of a series of birds collected in the neighbourhood of
Tamaulipas, a district of Mexico situated between Vera Cruz and the Bay of Honduras. Although it possesses
several characters by which it may be distinguished from all others of its race, the most novel and striking
feature is the colouring of the head and chest, which is uniform dull black, in consequence of which I have
given it the specific appellation of melanocephala. The specimen above mentioned is now in the collection of
the Zoological Society of London, where it will be at all times available to those who may wish to examine it
personally. I regret to add that it was much mutilated, although not to such an extent as to prevent me
from making an accurate drawing of it. I feel confident that the specimen is that of a fully adult male, and
that in point of affinity it is closely allied to Trog. melanopterus, from which, independently of its black head,
it may readily be distinguished by having less white on the three outer tail-feathers, and by the square manner
in which the white is joined to the black.

TROdJOK ]PAT(D)RIOTJg>o ( Spix.)

Peacock Trogon.

Jh-amro pW7i/JfaMre^Si:,(m^Sd(m^i^JJbE.Gov(Zd^.

l;y C

■\

7 *

TROGON

PAVONINUS,

Pavonine Trog-on

Specific Character.

Mas

Trog. corpore supra, capite, gutture, pectore, scapular ihusque splendenti-viridibus

alls

caudaque nigris
cequantihus ; ventre
viridi-splendentihus.

um intermediis duabus caudam longitudine sub-
nferioribus coccineis ; jfemoribus tarsisque nigris

Foem

ad basin miniaceum ad apicem flavum; pedes ochracei

Capite, gutture, pectoreque saturate cinereo-brunneis viridi
dee inf irioribus coccineis ; scapularibus dorsoque viridibus

• «

flavescentibus, rectricibus duabus

nigris, remigum pogoniis externis
obscure fasciatis.

ides bninnescenti-miniaceae ; rostri mandibula superior saturate brunnea, inferior ad basin
sordide miniacea apicem versus in brunneum transiens.

Male

Head, throat, chest, shoulder of the wing and whole of the upper surface rich glossy
green ; upper tail-coverts green, the two centre feathers reaching the end of the tail but
rarely exceeding it; wings and tail black; breast and under tail-coverts rich scarlet; fea-
thers of the thighs and tarsi black with green reflections; irides dark carmine: feet ochre

Female

bill carmine at the base and yellow at the tip
Head, throat, and chest dark greyish brown tinged with green ; upper

of the

abdomen dark greyish brown, the lower part and the under tail-coverts deep
feathers of the thighs and tarsi black with green reflections ;

shoulders and whole of the

upper surface including the upper tail-coverts, which nearly reach to the end of the tail,
rich green; wings brownish black with the outer edges of the feathers bafiT; tail-feathers
black, the two outer on each side obscurely rayed with greyish white; upper mandible dark

brown, under mandible dusky

becoming brown at the

irides brownish

carmine.

Total length, 13i inches; bill, H; wing, Ji; tail, 7; tarsi.

3 .

Trogon pavoninus. Spix, Av. Sp. Nov. vol. 1. pi. xxxv. p. 47

The Trogon pavoninus was first described by Dr. Spix in his work on the birds of Brazil. His account of

it, however, is so meagre as to afford us but little insight into its history ; and twelve years have now elapsed

sinee the publication of his work without any additional information having been made known. Through the

kindness of M. Jean Natterer of Vienna, I am enabled to illustrate both sexes of this species, from very fine

specimens which he has confided to my care for that purpose. During his sixteen years’ sojourn in the

Brazils, M. Natterer had frequent opportunities of observing this bird in a state of nature ; and he informs me

that it inhabits the high woods bordering the upper parts of the river Amazon and the Rio Negro, where it
is only seen among the highest branches of the trees.

Upon examining the contents of the stomach M. Natterer has almost invariably found it to consist of the

fruit of a certain species of palm ; he therefore eoneludes that this, together with various berries and stoned

fruits, forms its subsistenee. It arrives in the localities above mentioned when its favourite fruit is ripe ; and

when the trees no longer yield an adequate supply it retires again to other districts. In the nature of its food

this bird differs from most of the other species, which are well known to subsist principally on insects ; and

its difference in this respect is accompanied by an equal diversity of form, the wings being more lengthv,

the tail less abruptly truncated, the bill destitute of serratures, and the claws strong, curved, and admirably
adapted for clinging.

In my description of the magnificent species from Guatimala which I have designated resplendens, I have

pointed out the characters by which that bird may at all times be distinguished from the one now represented ;
it will therefore be unnecessary to repeat them here.

Although the females of this bird and of Trogon resplendens offer a considerable difference in their plumage
from each other, yet they assimilate more nearly than do the females of most other speeies ; for they both
possess the rich glossy green plumage, and the upper tail-coverts are alike, but in the present bird they are not
so elongated as in Trog. resplendens. The young males during the first year resemble the female.

'SA’/UttV vu

CJTaZijyuKM^^'

TROGON MELANOPTERUS, Swains.

Black-wing’ed Trog*on.

(Young male.)

In the foregoing Plate I have illustrated an adult male and female of this fine speeies, and in the description
I have mentioned the great difference in the colouring of the sexes, and the circumstance of the plumage of
the young male of the year being strictly similar to that of the female ; the present Plate represents a young
male in the intermediate state, when, as will be perceived, it has partially acquired the rich purple of the head,
and the mature tall, with the exception of one feather, which still retains the characteristic markings of im-
maturity. I would here repeat that the adult male of this species has the three outer tail-feathers on each
side black at their base with tips of pure white, while the same feathers in young males of the year, and in
the females at all ages, are strongly barred with black and white. These changes are always effected by the
acquisition of new feathers.

■S ■ A -V >

✓

TTIRO&OJSr JD)I[A.]RI})]II[s ( Teixini:)

'Diards Tro^on.

I?raAm/jTo7n' J^stdti>y^d>c7v<sdofve' iy J'SS.lytn^ld-.

TROGON DIARDII, Temm.

Diard s Troffon.

Specific Character.

Mas. Trog. capite sangumeo

que minute fasciat IS, remigihus nigris ; gutture pectoreque nigris ; ventre miniaceo ; rectrici-

bus intermediis duabus brunneis nigro apiculatis, diiabus proximis utrinque nigris, reliquis

ad basin nigris apicem versus nigro alboque marmoratis.

Foem. Fascia nuchali nulla; capite fusco-brunneo ; alis brunneo nigroque fasciatis ; pectore

brunneo ; ventre quam in mare pallidiore.

Rostrum nigrescens ; orbitce nudce coccineae ; pedes flavescenti-brunnei.

Male. Crown of the head deep blood red ; throat and chest black ; a nuchal hand of rose pink

separates the rich colouring of the head from the back, which with the upper tail-coverts
are dark sandy brown ; wings minutely barred with black and white, quills black ; breast
and under surface carmine ; thighs black ; two middle tail-feathers rich brown tipped with
black, the two next on each side black, the rest black at their base and marbled for the
remainder of their length with black and white ; bill blackish ; bare space round the eye

scarlet ; feet yellowish brown.

Female. Destitute of the nuchal band and having the top of the head dusky brown ; the back

and tail as in the male, the outer feathers being less thickly dotted with black ; chest
brown ; wings barred with brown and black ; quills black ; abdomen pale carmine.

Total length, 12 t inches; bill, H ; wing, 5f ; tail, 6i; tarsi,

Trogoti Diardii. Temm., PI. Col. 5 4

The islands of Sumatra and Borneo constitute the native habitat of this beautiful species, which has been
dedicated to the memory of an intelligent French naturalist, who in the flower of his youth fell a sacrifice to
the unhealthy climate of the East. His name is associated in most of his zoological pursuits with that of the

son-in-law of the illustrious Cuvier, the intelligent and zealous Duvaucel.

Like Trogon Temminckii it possesses a nuchal band of rose pink, a feature not to be found in any other

than these two species.

The general contour of Trogon Diardii with its robust bill indicates it to be a bird of considerable power
and strength ; in these particulars it exceeds Trogon Temminckii, from which it also differs in the markings
of the three outer tail-feathers, in the total absence of the white pectoral band, and in the colouring of the

bare skin round the eyes.

It is the only species yet discovered in the Old World exhibiting any tendency to the barred markings of
the three outer tail-feathers, a character so frequently observed in the members of this family inhabiting the
new continent : in this Instance the white feathers of the tail are covered with fine marbled markings rather

than with decided bars.

* * 4

% < bwaj,us ■ )

J)roiyr)\/jWfrj .Goiild/.

(

TROGON MELANOPTERUS, Swains.

Black-wing*ed Trog’on.

Specific Character.

Mas. Trog. capite supra gutiureque violaceo purpureis ; aurihus guldque nigris ; dorso uropy-

gioque metallice viridibus ; caudce tectricibus superioribus purpureis ; recti'icibus duabus in-
termediis viridibus purpurea tinctis, proximis duabus utrinque pogoniis, externis viridescenti-
purpureis internis nigris, his omnibus nigra apiculatis, cceteris ad basin nigris ad apicem,
albis ; alis nigris ; ventre tectricibusque caudce inferioribus aurantiaco-Jiavis.

Irides saturate brunneae ; rostrum coerulescenti-cinereum, apicem versus subflavescens ; pedes

coerulescenti-cinerei.

Foem. Supra et ad pectus saturate plumbeo-cinereus ; alis brunnescenti-nigris,secundariis scapu-

laribusque alba transversim strigatis ; rectricibus brunnescenti-nigris, extimarum utrinque
trium apicibus f ascidque pogonii interni albis.

Rostrum quam in mare saturatiiis.

Male

Bill bluish grey inclining to yellow at the

purple, throat and
coverts purple ; tw

black : back and

of the head and chest rich violet
rich metallic green; upper tail-

middle tail-feathers green with a tinge of purpl

each

side black on the inner web, and greenish purple on the outer, the whole six tipped

black: the three

feathers on each side black at their base and white

their tips

wings black ; abdomen and under tail-coverts rich orange yellow ; feet bluish grey ; irides
dark brown.

Female. Bill as in the male but darker ; head, chest, and all the upper surface deep leaden

grey;

brownish black ; secondaries and scapularies transversely striated with fine

lines of white ; abdomen and under tail-coverts orange ; six middle tail-feathers brownish
black, the three outer on each side the same, but tipped with white and having bars of the
same colour on their inner webs.

Total length, lOi to 1 li inches ; bill, H ; wing, 5i to 5i ; tail, 6i ; tarsi, i.

Trogon violaceus , viridis , curucui, Auct.

Couroucau de la Guiane. Buff. PI. Enl. 7b5 ? young male.
Cayenne. Ibid. 76b • female.

Although I myself entertain no doubt that the Trog. violaceus, Trog. viridis, and Trog. curucui of different
authors all refer to this bird, still the descriptions are so imperfect as to defy all attempts to assign it with
any degree of certainty to either’ of them ; and in consequence of this intolerable confusion I am induced to
adopt Mr. Swainson’s name of melanopterus for this common and well-known species.

The Trogon melanopterus appears to have a more extensive range than most other species, as it is dispersed,
although but sparingly, through a great portion of the Brazils, and several of the West India Islands adjacent
to the continent : I would remark, however, that the bird found in the islands is somewhat more diminutive
in all its proportions than those from the continent, yet in every other particular they so strikingly accord as,
in my opinion, to render their separation unnecessary.

This species gives a preference to dense and almost impenetrable forests, and like the other members of its
race is solitary and unsocial in its habits. The male may be distinguished from all others by its large size
and by the rich violet colour of its head and chest. The female is more sombre in her colouring, those parts
being of a dusky grey which in the male are resplendent green and violet. The young male during the first
year resembles the female ; and I have frequently observed that while undergoing the changes from youth to
maturity, it exhibits a blending of the colouring of the mature male with that of the female, assuming the rich
colouring of the head and back, without having exchanged either the whole or any portion of the barred tail-
feathers ; hence, no doubt, has arisen the confusion among the older authors with respect to this bird, in
consequence of their not being acquainted with its immature changes.

Mantis

‘TJRIj) COILILAIRIS) A^eill)

Collared Tro^on

/hmv JMUnrc J} orv SipcM iy J ^£[Ccuid\

igf C Su^wxtHdu-.

T R O G O N

COLLARIS, VidU.

Collared Trog*on.

Specific Character.

Mas. Trog. supia aureo-viridis ; rectricihus intermediis sex aureo-viridibus nigro apiculatis, po-

goniis internis (nisi intermediarum duaruni) nigris, ccetejis nigro alboque J'asciatis ; remigi-
biis nigris pogoniis externis albis, secundariis alceque medice plumis transverse Jiexuosim nigro
alboque lineatis ; auribus gulaque nigris ; gutture aureo-viridi ; pectore torque lunatd alba
cincto ; ventre caudceque tectricibus hvferioribus coccineis.

Irides saturate brunnece ; rostrum flavo-aiirantiacum ; pedes saturate cinerei.

Foem. brunnea est ubi mas aureo-viridis; rectricibus tribus extimis utrinque nigro lineolatis

punctatisque alboque apiculatis.

Rostrum brunnescenti-aurantiacum.

Male. Crown of the head and whole of the upper surface rich golden green ; throat and ear-

coverts black ; two middle tail-feathers golden green ; the two next on each side golden
green on their outer edge, the inner webs being black, and the whole six tipped with
black ; the three outer feathers on each side strongly barred with black and white ; pri-
maries black with their outer edges white ; secondaries and middle of the wing transversely
rayed with zigzag markings of white and black ; a semilunar collar of white separates the
golden green of the chest, from the abdomen, which, with the under tail-coverts, is scarlet ;
bill rich yellowish orange ; irides dark brown ; feet dark grey.

Remale. Head, chest, and upper surface brown ; two middle tail-feathers rich chestnut brown,

the two next on each side chestnut brown on their outer webs and black on the inner ;
the three lateral feathers on each side freckled with black and tipped with white ; a band
of white separates the brown of the chest from the abdomen, which is scarlet as in the
male ; bill brownish orange.

Total length, 9f inches ; bill, i ; -wing, 4f ; tail, 5i ; tarsi, i.

Le Couroucou Rosalba. Le Vaill. Hist. Nat. de Couroucous, pi. 6.

Trogon collaris. Vieill. I’Encyclopedie Methodique, vol. 3. p. 1362.

— Spix, Av. Sp. Nov. vol. 1. p. 50.

The rich golden green of its plumage, together with the brilliant scarlet of the breast, the strong and decided
markings of the tail, and the perfect pectoral band of white, are the principal features by which this elegant
species may be distinguished from its congeners ; for although the Trogon elegans possesses almost the same
style of markings, the transverse bars of black that vary its much more elongated tail are considerably finer
and more numerous.

The Trogon collaris is found in Brazil and Cayenne, from any localities to the north of w'hich countries I
have never seen speeimens. Although different members of these birds rarely associate, yet M. Natterer in-
forms me that he once observed this species in company with the Trogon variegatus, on the banks of the
Rio Negro ; and he considers that in all probability they were effecting a partial migration, from one part
of the country to another ; the stomachs of several of this species which he examined contained the re-
mains of fruits and caterpillars.

The plumage of the sexes differs considerably ; those parts which in the male are rich golden green, being
of a deep brown in the female : the tail of the latter is also extremely different, being entirely destitute of the
strong bars of black and white which characterize that of the male.

Tro^oii meridioiiaIxs;/ti^(?w^y^

Jhnie^ CRUCtftcvfuZ^.

TROGON MERIDIONALIS, Swains.

Little Tro2*on.

Specific Character.

Mas. Trog.capite pectorequepurpureis, aliquando viridi tinctis ; aurihus guttureque nigris ; dorso

saturate aureo-viridi ; alls nigrescenti-brunneis, remigibus albo marginatis, secundariis tegmi-
nibusque pulverulenti-cinereis ; ventre aurantiaco ; rectricibus intermediis duabus daarumque
proximarum utrinque pogoniis externis viridibus, harum pogoniis internis nigris, his omnibus
nigro apiculatis, reliquis albo nigroque Jasciatis.

Rostrum plumbeum, ad apicem pallidids ; pedes saturate plumbei.

Foem. saturate coeruleo-canus, ventre aurantiaco; alis nigris, secundariis tegminibusque albo trans-

versim lineatis ; remigibus tribus extimis utrinque ad basin nigris, pogoniis externis albis
nigro Jasciatis.

Male. Crown of tbe head and ebest rich purple, changing to greenish purple in some speci-
mens ; throat and ears black ; back and upper tail-coverts dark green tinged with gold ;
wings blackish brown, the primaries edged with white, secondaries and lesser wing-
coverts finely powdered with grey ; breast and under parts rich orange ; middle tail-
feathers deep green, two next on each side green on their outer webs and black on the
inner, all six tipped with black, three outer feathers on each side strongly barred with
lines of black and white ; bill lead colour, lighter at the tip ; feet dark lead colour.

Remale. Whole of the head, chest, back, and six middle tail-feathers dark bluish grey ; the

three lateral feathers on each side black at their base, their outer edges white barred with
black; wings black, secondaries and lesser wing-coverts finely marked with transverse lines
of white ; under surface orange ; bill dark horn colour. ^

Total length, 8f inches ; bill, 1 ; voing, 4i ; tail, 4f ; tarsi, i.

Trogon meridionalis . Swains.

sulphureus. Spix, Av. Sp. INov., vol. 1. pi. xxxviii. p. 48. ?

This species is very sparingly dispersed over the northern parts of Brazil, but is more abundant in Cayenne,
Trinidad, and the adjacent islands. It is one of the commonest species in our cabinets, there being few col-
lections sent from the last-named countries which do not contain examples.

The birds figured by Dr. Spix under the name of Trogon sulphureus are in all probability Intended for

this species, but in several particulars do not accord with it : I have therefore considered it best to adopt the
name assigned to it by Mr. Swainson, who has paid much attention to the South American members of this

group. . K • u

The sexes offer the usual differences in the colour of their plumage, the male being clothed above with rich

green, while the female has the same parts dark bluish grey: the young during the first year are like the
female.

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